Disc golf booms
Sport growing in popularity because it's fun, easy to learn and inexpensive
By Phillip B. Wilson
Posted: July 15, 2008Read Comments(4)Recommend E-mail Print Share Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Yahoo Google A A If a school buddy suggests playing disc golf, don't be surprised if it becomes an obsession.

It did for Dave Feldberg at Western Michigan University when, in 1997, a few friends talked him into trying this unheralded sport of throwing a disc at a basket of chains. He lost $6 in bets, but was hooked. Today, Feldberg, 31, is the No. 1 ranked disc golfer in the world.

The same thing happened to Ken Climo. He was hanging out with high school classmates in 1987 when they ran into something different in a Florida park.

"I noticed these weird contraptions and inquired about what they were," Climo said of the baskets. "What a revelation."

The 40-year-old Floridian is now regarded as the greatest disc golfer ever, a record 12-time world champion and winner of 205 events. His drives go 500 feet or more.

Asked if he's the Tiger Woods of his sport, Climo said, "As of now, that makes me the Jack Nicklaus because I've got all the records. Tiger Woods is chasing me."

It may come as a surprise disc golf is so organized with 36,000 lifetime professionals -- 12,000 of them active -- and 800 annual worldwide events sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association.

Climo, who quit building homes a few years ago to focus on disc golf, earned $90,000 last year. Feldberg, who teaches two disc golf courses at the University of Oregon, earned $55,000. Where his goal was to earn $100,000 in his disc golf career, the mission now is to do it in one year.

They travel to tournaments around the world. Climo has been to Japan seven times.

There's even a disc golf hall of fame with 50 members. Climo was inducted in 1995.

The first inductee, "Steady" Ed Headrick, designed the first Frisbee and is regarded as the father of disc golf. But before he created the first basket, a variation of the sport had been around since the 1960s, when Frisbee fanatics played object golf by throwing at lightpoles, telephone poles and trees, said Brian Graham, executive director of the PDGA, based in Augusta, Ga.

That also explains the popular name of Frisbee golf, although the toy company Wham-O owns that trademark, hence the technically accepted generic name of disc golf.

"We like to say around here that we can't use the 'F' word," Graham said of Frisbees.

Feldberg raised eyebrows among his competitors last year when he referred to the sport as Frisbee golf on a late-night TV appearance with Conan O'Brien.

"Frisbee is something people can identify with," Feldberg said. "How can it hurt us?"

Quicker version of golf
Disc golf has flourished in recent years, Graham said, for obvious reasons. It doesn't take as much time -- maybe an hour to 90 minutes -- to play 18 holes of disc golf compared to traditional golf, which is typically about four hours. Greens fees usually don't exist or are minimal for disc golfers, whereas regular golf typically costs between $25 and $75. Perhaps more importantly, most people have thrown a Frisbee before ever playing.

"How many people can hit a ball off a tee trying for the first time and how many can throw a Frisbee?" asked Graham. "Almost every American at some point in their life has thrown a Frisbee. So they already have the basic skills to play our game."

In 2004, the PDGA reported 1,722 disc golf courses in the U.S. Last year, the number eclipsed 2,500.

Indiana had 46 courses, 15 events and 177 PDGA members last year, according to the national Web site. Jerry Suiter, president of the Indianapolis Disc Golf Club, reports 60 members in his group this year.

Since 1989, the IDGC has helped Indy Parks fund, install and maintain disc golf courses at Washington Park, Brookside Park, Sahm Park and Northwestway Park. The IDGC has a weekly handicap league where novice players can compete and learn from pros.

"You don't have to have a lot of skill to do it, so just about anybody can play," said Perry Park manager Allen Wente, 29, who wishes he had a disc golf course on the Southside.

He, too, picked up the game from school buddies. Wente has played for eight years and recalls losing his first special disc, a Cheetah, in a snowbank in Northern Arizona in 1999.

That's another element to disc golf, the wide variety of discs for driving, mid-range and putting, with varying stability levels and effects. An Innova Roc, for example, is for straighter mid-range shots compared to a Beast, higher rated in speed and more apt to turn over on long drives.

Throwing styles are also a matter of choice. Many deviate from the backhand to a forehand throw. Some throw it over the head or resort to a roller shot, where the disc hits the ground and rolls on its edge.

Feldberg is so consumed by disc golf, he and a University of Arkansas professor of biomechanical science are testing to determine the perfect disc throw. He criticizes traditional golf for not recognizing his sport, which he proudly proclaims "golf of the next generation."

Indy connection
It has caught on locally, although numbers are small. The IDGC's 18th Checkered Open on July 6 attracted 109 players in 10 divisions. They converged on Brookside Park from as far away as Milwaukee; Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Peoria and DeKalb, Ill.; and Evansville. Jim Trueblood, Beech Grove, defended his title in the pro open class with a 50-hole score of 19-under par.

Two of the competitors were women -- disc golf pros say the sport desperately needs more females.

"I was bored one day," said Lynn Powell, 28, Danville. "My husband and I grabbed some regular Frisbees and went over to a course in Noblesville. We threw one hole, then saw some players with the regular discs, so we went to a sporting goods store and got some of our own."

Kindra Burress, 34, Cincinnati, is the daughter of a course pro, Hank Rodrick, who recently retired and opened his own disc company.

"I thought the game was ridiculous until I got a boyfriend who wanted to play," Burress said. "This is how I spend time with him."

So, too, does Powell. And she plays when her husband isn't around. A few weeks ago, she put their 18-month-old son, Hunter, in a stroller for a round at Sahm Park.

"I'm not going to get ditched with the kid so he can go play disc golf," Powell said, smiling.

I would say that Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports around. There are numerous clubs around the state and many new Disc Golf courses in the planning stages. There was a new club just formed this spring in Hendricks County.(http://hcdgc.com/) & there is also an Indy Disc golf club(http://www.indydiscgolf.com/page/page/2864741.htm). Both clubs have weekly tournaments. For more info check out their Web sites. It's a great sport and one that the whole family can enjoy.

7/15/2008 3:27:50 PM I would say that Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports around. There are numerous clubs around the state and many new Disc Golf courses in the planning stages. There was a new club just formed this spring in Hendricks County.(http://hcdgc.com/) & there is also an Indy Disc golf club(http://www.indydiscgolf.com/page/page/2864741.htm). Both clubs have weekly tournaments. For more info check out their Web sites. It's a great sport and one that the whole family can enjoy.

SSSCOTT
Recommend New PostReply to this PostReport AbuseI would say that Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports around. There are numerous clubs around the state and many new Disc Golf courses in the planning stages. There was a new club just formed this spring in Hendricks County.(http://hcdgc.com/) & there is also an Indy Disc golf club(http://www.indydiscgolf.com/page/page/2864741.htm). Both clubs have weekly tournaments. For more info check out their Web sites. It's a great sport and one that the whole family can enjoy.

I' ve been playing Frisbee golf for nearly 30 years. You don't need a course at all. If you have an acre, or even less - look a tree, name the number of shots (par) you think it should be and throw the Frisbee.
I play nearly every weekday in my own backyard for 45 minutes for the great exercize and tranquility.
I play on perfect days as well as ten below zero - everyday is a different challenge as the wind will always change..
My backyard course has 8 holes some require I throw over my detached garage. Holes are trees, a trellis with chimes, a chicken wire basket.... Professional courses are nice, but a backyard can be a fun and creative place to enjoy FrisbeeGolf anytime the mood hits.
When I landscape I keep in mind the Frisbees travel hard and fast. My yard is my golf course, how many people can claim that?
7/15/2008 12:58:35 PM I' ve been playing Frisbee golf for nearly 30 years. You don't need a course at all. If you have an acre, or even less - look a tree, name the number of shots (par) you think it should be and throw the Frisbee.I play nearly every weekday in my own backyard for 45 minutes for the great exercize and tranquility.I play on perfect days as well as ten below zero - everyday is a different challenge as the wind will always change..My backyard course has 8 holes some require I throw over my detached garage. Holes are trees, a trellis with chimes, a chicken wire basket.... Professional courses are nice, but a backyard can be a fun and creative place to enjoy FrisbeeGolf anytime the mood hits.When I landscape I keep in mind the Frisbees travel hard and fast. My yard is my golf course, how many people can claim that? Bob1967
Recommend New PostReply to this PostReport AbuseI' ve been playing Frisbee golf for nearly 30 years. You don't need a course at all. If you have an acre, or even less - look a tree, name the number of shots (par) you think it should be and throw the Frisbee.I play nearly every weekday in my own backyard for 45 minutes for the great exercize and tranquility.I play on perfect days as well as ten below zero - everyday is a different challenge as the wind will always change..My backyard course has 8 holes some require I throw over my detached garage. Holes are trees, a trellis with chimes, a chicken wire basket.... Professional courses are nice, but a backyard can be a fun and creative place to enjoy FrisbeeGolf anytime the mood hits.When I landscape I keep in mind the Frisbees travel hard and fast. My yard is my golf course, how many people can claim that?Bob1967
thatrocks wrote:

PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS at 8923 S. Meridian St. Indianapolis carries a great selection of individual discs as well as complete sets starting at $7.99. It really is a great sport the whole family can do together!
There is also a course is Tralafager.